‘Taboo’ show to break stigma on stage

A show with a topic deemed ’’taboo’’ will attempt to break the stigma on stage in Hamilton.

The Vagina Monologues, a story that deals with feminine experiences and celebrates women from different cultures, opens next week at Meteor Theatre.

Despite its womanly title, director Toni Garson says audience members shouldn’t shy away from the show.

‘‘It’s not as scary as it sounds. For certain people, it takes a lot of explaining to get them to come to terms with the idea. Especially males,’’ she said.

The cast of five females each perform monologues, detailing their experiences as women.

Characters range from a small child, to an elderly woman - all connected by one thing.

‘‘The cast all support what the show is saying. It’s all about female empowerment, learning to love everything about yourself and that vaginas aren’t scary and they shouldn’t be so taboo.’’

Garson said it’s become socially acceptable for men to make jokes about their own reproductive organs, but public opinion still prohibits talk of female body parts.

She admits it took time for herself and the cast to become comfortable with the show’s concept.

‘‘When we got more into it and understood it, we wondered why we talked about it in hushed tones,’’ she said.

Garson first premiered The Vagina Monologues at her local theatre in Te Aroha.

‘‘Te Aroha wasn’t quite ready for The Vagina Monologues. There were lots of people who weren’t going to see it, but after opening night, a group of women came and saw it and went round and told everyone how much they needed to come see the show.

‘‘Once it had finished, people said if we put it on in Hamilton, they’d come see it.’’

Garson cast almost all of the same girls from the original season. She is filling in for one actor, even though she reckons starring in her own show is a bit pretentious.

‘‘There are a few monologues that are quite heartbreaking, but then there are also really light- hearted, funny stories.

‘‘It has lots of ups and downs, and it really makes you think,’’ she said.

The Vagina Monologues, running at the Meteor Theatre from Wednesday, September 27 - Saturday, September 30, Tickets from www.themeteor.co.nz